Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
CONNECTOR FOR ATTACHING AN ALIGNMENT ROD TO A BONE
STRUCTURE
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a spinal alignment system for treating
spinal
deformities and/or injuries and, more particularly, to securing a spinal
alignment
system to a spinal column.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Deformities of the spine and injuries to the spine have long been treated by
to surgical intervention. In treating deformities and injuries to the spine,
the goal is to
return the spine, to the extent possible, back to a normal curvature and/or
hold it in a
desired position. Several surgical intervention techniques and devices have
been
proposed for the treatment of injuries to and deforniities of the spine.
Some of these surgical techniques use a hook and rod system to hold the spine
15 in a desired position. In such systems, the rod can be placed along the
outside of the
curved spine, that is on the convex side, and can be attached to the vertebrae
of the
spine by hooks as illustrated in Fig. 1. Because the rod is applying a
generally
compressive force along the spine to urge it into the desired position, this
can be
referred to as the compressive mode. Alternatively, a rod placed on the inside
of the
2o curved spine, that is on the concave side, would apply a generally tensile
force along
the spine to urge it into the desired position, which can be referred to as
the distraction
mode.
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The device shown in Fig. 1 is an example of one of the first such systems
referred to as a Harrington Instrumentation in the compression mode. With this
device
the rod is threaded (threads not shown) and can be straight or bent into a
curvature
that will place the spine in the desired position. Each hook is threaded onto
the rod
and secured to the rod by nuts and is frictionally seated on each vertebra.
After all the
hooks have been frictionally seated on the vertebrae and secured to the rod,
the excess
rod can be cut off. In the compression mode, the middle of the rod is pushing
the
spine to the desired position and the ends of the rod are pulling the spine to
the
desired position. This pulling force at the ends of the rod can be of such
magnitude
1o that the hook and rod system can fail. Depending upon the force, the hooks
can pull or
slip off because the hooks are open ended. Regardless, the desired position of
the
spine can be lost. Hook pull off and failure is not limited to the compression
mode, it
is also a problem in the distraction mode for this type of system. In
addition, the
ratcheted rods in the distraction mode could break at the ratchet points,
again causing
system failure.
To overcome problems with hooks pulling off the vertebrae, some devices
attempted to secure the rod to the vertebrae with a screw screwed into the
bone
material instead of using a hook. The screw, however, is under perpendicular
tension
by the rod, thus, the pull on the screw is straight out of the bone along the
screw's
2o axis. With this construction, the screw is held in the bone only by the
strength of its
threads. Moreover, because the bone of the vertebrae is mostly cancellous and
is
relatively weak, it is not a preferred bone type for thread fixation. The
weaker bone
material is more likely to fail than the screw. As a result, the screws that
are subject to
the pulling forces described above can experience pull out and failure.
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To avoid screw pull out due to bone failure, larger bone screws and larger
threads have been used. But these larger features can disrupt too much of the
vertebrae and cause the vertebrae to fracture, independent of screw pull out.
Failures
such as these can prevent further repair of the spinal column disorder unless
there is
additional surgery.
In a modification of the screw and rod system, the screws pass through plates
that have slots or holes so that the screw can be oriented relative to the rod
at an angle
other than perpendicular to the rod. The slots or holes are configured to
permit the
angle of the screw relative to the rod to be selected from a range of angles.
This
1o modified orientation of the screw can reduce the load that the threads must
support.
FIowever, the screw is still subject to failure by pull out and the threads
can still cause
the vertebra to fracture.
This effort to overcome problems e~~perienced with screws led to a hook being
used in combination with a screw. See, for example, IJ.S. Patent No.
5,584,832. But
is use of both a hook and a screw does not eliminate the problems associated
with each.
The hook can still experience slippage and the screw can still experience pull
out. In
these devices, a hook frictionally engages the vertebra and a bone screw is
passed into
bone as well. Although these devices can provide for a more reliable mounting
of the
rod onto the spinal column over other devices, these devices, as stated above,
cannot
20 eliminate hook slippage and bone screw pull out. Also, this combination
device
requires a greater number of components for implantation as compared to the
hook
and rod systems and the bone screw systems discussed above.
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In an effort to overcome problems experienced with screw pull out, a nut can
be threaded on the far end of the screw. But nuts used on the far side of the
screw in
the spine are difficult to place and to hold until secure. The nut must be
held blind on
the side away from the incision. The screw needs to center in the nut, which
requires
palpation by the surgeon. The screw can be sharp, tearing gloves, exposing
skin or
even cutting the surgeon. Also, for the nut to relieve the screw threads from
being the
sole resistance force to pull out, the nut must be sufficiently tight against
the bone,
which is difficult to achieve by hand (without a holding device so that the
nut does not
spin while tightening is occurring). The use of a nut with the screw can be a
difficult,
1o cumbersome and time consuming procedure at best.
Furthermore, when using screws in spinal systems where the screw penetrates
the vertebrae, with or without the use of a nut or hook, the screws must be
accurately
positioned on the vertebrae. This requires the use of some type of a jig or
gauge or
both. This holding device presets the target location for the screw to assure
that the
screws are precisely and accurately placed. A gauge is also used to measure
the
distance the screw should span, thus, avoiding over penetration beyond and
into
unintended tissues, and avoiding under penetration, which would mean fewer
threads
to resist pull out.
Accordingly, what is needed is an arrangement for securing a fixation rod of a
2o spinal alignment system to the vertebra that is easy to install, yet is
reliable and
durable.
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SLJMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention solves the problems and/or overcomes the drawbacks and
disadvantages of the prior art by minimizing the adverse effects of the
tensile and
compression forces acting on the various securements of the spinal alignment
system.
In particular, the invention accomplishes this by providing a connector for a
spinal
alignment system including a base, a hook, a guide aperture, and a locking
portion.
The base includes a channel extending therethrough to receive a fixation rod.
The
hook extends from the base. The guide aperture is adapted to receive a bone
fastener
and the locking portion is adapted to engage the bone fastener. The guide
aperture
1o extends through one of the base member and the hook member and the locking
portion is located in the other of the base and the hook. The locking portion
is coaxial
with the guide aperture such that the guide aperture guides a shaft of the
bone fastener
into alignment with the locking portion when the bone fastener is received by
the
guide aperture.
There is also provided a rod locking fastener for securing a rod in a channel
of
a connector of a spinal alignment instrument, the rod locking fastener
including a
thread to engage the connector, an end to frictionally engage the rod and
secure the
rod to the connector, and a tool engagement portion adapted to receive a tool
that
drives the rod locking fastener into and out of engagement with the rod. The
thread
2o includes a first side extending from an adjacent root portion at a first
acute angle. The
end is adjacent to the thread.
There is also provided a spinal alignment system including a connector
adapted to engage a vertebra of a human spinal column, a bone fastener, a
fixation
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rod, and rod locking fastener. The connector includes a base having a channel,
a hook
extending from the base, a guide aperture extending through one of the base
member
and the hook member, and a locking portion being located in another one of the
base
member and the hook member, the locking portion being coaxial with the guide
s aperture. The bone fastener includes a head and a shaft extending from the
head. The
guide aperture cooperates with the shaft to guide the bone fastener through
the
vertebra in alignment with the locking portion when the bone fastener is
inserted into
the guide aperture. The locking portion engages the shaft after the bone
fastener is
inserted into the vertebra. The rod locking fastener cooperates with the
channel to
secure the fixation rod to the connector when the fixation rod is received in
the
channel.
In another aspect of the spinal alignment system, the systenx comprises a
tension band. In particular, when the bone fastener is tightened in the
locking portion,
the bone fastener is placed in tension and the connector is placed in
compression. As
t5 such, the bone fastener at2d the connector cooperate to define the tension
band that
distributes a force exeuted by the fixation rod throughout the connector and
the bone
fastener.
In yet another aspect of the spinal alignment system, the rod locking fastener
and the base include complimentary mating surfaces that are configured to
resist the
2o force exerted by the fixation rod onto the rod locking fastener when the
fixation rod is
secured in the channel.
There is also provided a fastener for securing a first component of an implant
to a second component of the implant. The fastener includes a body extending
along
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an axis and a thread disposed on and extending for a length along the body.
The body
has a first end and a second end opposing the first end. The thread includes
an
engagement portion and a root portion adjacent to and extending alongside the
engagement portion. The engagement portion has a first face and a second face
generally opposing the first face, wherein a first segment of the length of
the thread
has the first face disposed at an acute angle to an adjacent root portion.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention maybe set
forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description,
drawings,
and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary
of the
1o invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended
to
provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as
claimed.
>31~IEF 17ESC1~IPTI~IV ~F THE DI~AWI1~1GS
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated herein and constitute part
of this
15 specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together
with the general
description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to
explain the
features of the invention.
Fig. 1 is a posterior view of a human spinal column with a conventional
Harrington Instrumentation (compression) spinal alignment system installed on
the
2o human spinal column.
Fig. 2 is an anterior view of a human spinal column with a first embodiment of
a spinal alignment system according to the present invention installed
thereon.
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Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the spinal alignment system of
Fig.
2.
Figs. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing various alternative
arrangements of the spinal alignment system in accordance with the principles
of the
invention.
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view ofthe portion of the spinal alignment
system shown in Fig. 3 and showing a different direction of view from that in
Fig. 3.
Fig. 5A is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along line SA-5A of
Fig. 5.
to Figs. 6A-6F are perspective views of alternate embodiments of the
components of the spinal alignment system according to the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a connector of a
spinal alignment system according to the present invention.
Fig. 7A is a plan view ofthe connector of Fig. 7.
Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a
connector of a spinal alignment system according to the present invention.
Fig. 8A is a plan view of the connector of Fig. 8.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the spinal alignment system of Fig. 3 with the spinal
column and the bone fastener omitted for clarity.
2o Fig. 10 is across-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 9.
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Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of Area 11 of Fig. 10 showing a first embodiment
of the rod locking fastener thread configuration according to the present
invention.
Fig. 11A and 11B axe enlarged views of Area 11 of Fig. 10 showing alternate
embodiments of the rod locking fastener thread configuration according to the
present
invention.
Figs. 12A-12D are partial cut-away perspective views of alternate
embodiments of thread configurations of a rod locking fastener according to
the
present invention.
Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a connector
and a rod locking fastener of a spinal alignment system according to the
present
invention.
Fig. 13A is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along line 13A-13~.
of Fig. 13.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a connector of a spinal
aligmnent system according to the present invention.
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a connector and a
fixation rod of a spinal alignment system according to the present invention.
Fig. 16 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a bone fastener according
to the present invention.
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Fig. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a connector according
to the present invention with the connector being adapted for use with the
bone
fastener in Fig. 16.
Fig. 17A is an enlarged detail view of a portion of Fig. 17.
Fig. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17B-17B of Fig. 17A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The spinal alignment system 10 in accordance with the principles of the
invention is shown generally by reference numeral 10 in Fig. 2. This spinal
alignment
system 10 can be used as an implantable system to correct abnormal curvatures
and
1o trauma to the spine. In Fig. 2, an anterior side of spinal column S is
shown having the
spinal alignment system 10 implanted on the anterior portion of the spinal
column S,
although posterior implantation can be performed. 5'Jith posterior
implantation the
size of the system 10 would change, that is, it would be smaller because it
would
attach to the smaller bone structure on the posterior side of the spine.
Although not
15 shown with the inventive system 10, the posterior side of the spine is
illustrated in
Fig. 1 showing the smaller bone size. Spinal column S in Fig. 2 is illustrated
in a
corrected position having proper alignment in the coronal plane. However, not
all
corrective procedures will result in complete coronal alignment such that some
curvature remains in the spinal column S after installation of the spinal
alignment
20 system 10.
Spinal alignment system 10 generally includes a fixation rod 12, connectors 14
and bone fasteners 16 and is shown attached to the vertebrae V targeted for
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correction. As discussed in more detail below, the fixation rod 12 is attached
to the
spinal column S by way of connectors 14 and bone fasteners 16. This allows the
rod
to correct and counterbalance the curve to be corrected or to hold the spinal
column S
in a more desirable alignment or position. In accordance with the principles
of the
invention, each connector 14 serves as both a bone fastener guide and a bone
fastener
locking mechanism, as well as a hook as discussed in more detail below. As
such,
system 10 more reliably prevents hook slippage, pull out from the bone, and
breakage
of components of the system 10 or of the spinal column S.
Referring to Fig. 3, which shows an expanded view of one portion of the
1o spinal fastening system 10 shown in Fig. 2, the details of system 10 will
be described.
The connector 14 is generally a C-shape having a base 18 adapted to receive
and
locate the fixation rod 12 and to receive and guide the bone fastener 16, and
a hook 20
extending substantially perpendicular from the base 18 adapted to engage the
vertebra
V and adapted to receive and lock the bone fastener therein. The base 18 and
fixation
1s rod 12 extend along the length and on one side of the spinal column S. The
hook 20
includes a first hook portion 32 and a second hook portion 34~ disposed
substantially
perpendicular to the first hook portion 3?. The first hook portion 32 is
disposed
between two vertebrae V. The disc D between the two vertebrae is removed to
make
space for the hook ~0. The second hook portion 34 extends lengthwise and on
the
20 other side of the spinal column S from the fixation rod 1~. Connector 14
can be made
from a material suitable for implantation in the human body, such as, a
suitable
metallic material, including, for example, stainless steel, titanium, or
cobalt chrome.
In the following discussion, first the connector 14 and its attachment by bone
fastener
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16 will be described. Then the connector 14 and its attachment to the fixation
rod 12
will be described.
As shown in Fig. 3, connector 14 is adapted to guide and lock the bone
fastener 16 that extends from base 18 to hook 20. The details of this feature
are
henceforth described with reference to Fig. 5. Base 18 of connector 14
includes a
guide aperture 28 extending therethrough. As shown, guide aperture 28 extends,
preferably, obliquely through the base 18. The guide aperture 28 is sized to
allow the
bone fastener 16 to pass through it in a controlled manner. As shown, guide
aperture
28 preferably is not threaded. Alternatively, the guide aperture 28 could be
threaded.
to Hook 20 of connector 14 includes a threaded bore 30 extending therethrough
and
disposed coaxial with guide aperture 28. The threaded bore 30 has threads hat
are
adapted to mate with the threads on bone fastener 16. As shown9 the threaded
bore 30
is disposed at the junction of the first hook portion 32 and the second hook
portion 34.
At this junction there is more material to pass through as compared to passing
through
the flat portions of the hook 20. Therefore, locating the threaded bore 30 at
the
junction allows for more threads as compared to other locations on the hook
20. When
there are more threads to engage, the engagement force or lock down force
maintaining the interconnection between the bone fastener 16 and the hook 20
is
greater. Also, by positioning the threaded bore 30 at the junction, the length
of the
2o second hook portion 34 can be minimized. To facilitate entry of the bone
fastener 16
into each of guide aperture 28 and the threaded bore 30, the inlet side of
each of guide
aperture 28 and threaded bore 30 can be tapered.
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The bone fastener 16, as shown in Fig. 5, has ahead 36 atone end, a shaft 38
extending from the head 36, and threads 40 formed on the shaft 38 at the other
end or
tip of the bone fastener 16. Preferably, the bone fastener 16 is a bone screw
having
threads 40 only at the second end in a manner similar in design to a
cancellous screw
s (used in the repair of bone fractures) or that of a typical bolt. Threads
can be formed
along any portion of the length of the bone fastener 16 if desired. Depending
on the
extent of the threads on the bone fastener 16, the guide aperture 28 may also
be
threaded. A dimple, detent or other similar structure can be provided at the
second end
of the bone fastener 16 to provided tactile input for the surgeon while
threading the
to bone fastener 16 into the threaded bore 30, when threaded bore 30 is a
through bore.
In order to avoid puncturing the surgeon's gloves, or damaging adjacent
tissue, the
dimple, detent or other similar structure preferably is not sharp or pointed.
Depending
upon the size and shape of head 36, the guide aperture 28 can be formed with a
complimentary receiving structure, such as a recess, so that the head 36 can
be
15 countersunk into the base 18 when the bone fastener 16 is in its final
position.
Depending upon the configuration, the recess can also function as the taper to
guide
the bone fastener 16 into the guide aperture 28. Furthermore, due to the
increased
strength of system 10, the size of the bone fastener 16 can be reduced as
compared to
bone screws currently in use by known spinal alignment/fixation devices. The
bone
2o fastener can be made from a material suitable for implantation in the human
body,
such as, a suitable metallic material, including, for example, but not limited
to,
stainless steel, titanium, or cobalt chrome.
Because the guide aperture 28 and threaded bore 30 are coaxial, the bone
fastener 16 can be passed through guide aperture 28, through the vertebrae V
and
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directly into alignment with the threaded bore 30. The threads 40 of the bone
fastener
16 are threaded into threaded bore 30 until tight thereby securing the bone
fastener 16
to the connector 14 to form a locking mechanism. Thus, the bone fastener 16 is
locked
into the hook 20, rather than just the bone. The use of a separate nut is
unnecessary.
Because the end of the bone fastener 16 is screwed into the hook 20 of
connector 14,
the bone fastener is in tension causing the connector to be under compression.
Because the bone fastener 16 is both attached to the hook 20 and is under
tension, a
tension band construct is formed, and the hook 20 can more reliably resist the
pulling
or distraction forces exerted by the fixation rod 12 (illustrated in Fig. 3 by
vector F)
to and avoid being pulled off the vertebrae. Moreover, as stated above, the
connector 14
and bone fastener 16 are rigidly linked and form a closed loop, i.e., the
tension band
construct, around a portion of the vertebrae. Accordingly, the distraction
force of the
fixation rod 12 is spread through the whole connector 14 and the bone fastener
16,
unlike the known spinal alignment/fixation devices which focus the distraction
force
onto the free end of the hook and on the wide threads of the screws.
Therefore,
although preferred, the bone fastener 16 need not be under tension to resist
pull out
forces from the fixation rod 12. If the bone fastener 16 is attached to hook
20 in such
a manner that bone fastener 16 is not under tension, pull out can still be
avoided
because the bone fastener 16 is secured to the hook 20 to form a closed loop
or band
2o around/through the bone.
Additionally, the preferred oblique orientation of the guide aperture 28 and
the
threaded bore 30 in connector 14, and thereby the oblique orientation of the
bone
fastener 16, further increases the resistance to pull out. As shown in Fig. 3,
the
oblique orientation of the bone fastener 16 is non-parallel to the distraction
force F
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(Fig. 3) allowing the system 10 to resist pull out along the entire length of
the bone
fastener 16, as compared to the known systems which can have screws disposed
in
direct alignment with the distraction force and therefore rely solely on the
threads of
the bone screw to resist pull out. Furthermore, the tensile force along the
axis of the
bone fastener 16, illustrated by vector T in Fig. 3, is non-parallel to the
distraction
force F such that the magnitude of the tensile force T is less than the
magnitude of the
distraction force F applied by the fixation rod 12. Thus, the bone fastener 16
can be
smaller in size as compared to a bone screw used in known spinal
alignment/fixation
devices where the distraction force is the same.
l0 Furthermore, because the connector 14 is used to guide the bone fastener 16
through the bone and to secure the bone fastener 16 on the other side of the
bone, the
use of a jig may be unnecessary. Additionally, no depth gauge is needed to
judge the
appropriate length of fastener 16 because fastener 16 is selected to match the
length
needed to bridge the distance between the guide aperture 28 and the locking
bore 30.
15 The coaxial alignment of guide aperture 28 and threaded bore 30 insures
that the bone
fastener 16 can be accurately, simply, and reliably secured to the connector
14.
The connector 14 can be provided in a plurality of different sizes to
accommodate different sizes of vertebrae V. Selecting the proper size for the
connector 14 ensures that the connector 14 is securely locked to the vertebra
V.
2o Moreover, different sizes of connector 14 can accommodate varying oblique
orientations for the bone fastener 16. The size of connector 14 and
orientations for the
bone fastener 16 take into account the shape and size of the vertebra and the
fact that
the vertebra V is mostly cancellous, that is, the vertebra is composed of
cancellous
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bone surrounded by a thin layer of cortical bone. Specifically, as shown in
Fig. 3, the
center portion SP of the vertebra is less dense, softer material than upper
and lower
portions D 1, D2, which are stronger material. Because portions D 1 and D2 are
stronger, it is desirable to size the connector 14 and angle the orientation
of the bone
fastener 16 to take advantage of the denser, stronger parts of the vertebrae
as
illustrated in the embodiments disclosed herein. The system 10, however, can
pass
through only the softer portion SP of boney material, but it would not offer
the same
strength as having the system 10 pass through the denser portions of the
vertebra.
But, the length for each of the base 18, the first hook portion 32 and the
to second hook portion 34 preferably are dimensioned to ensure that the bone
fastener 16
extends through the vertebra V and, more preferably, through the dense bone
portions
D1, D2. Due to the make-up of the bone material, it is preferable to have the
bone
fastener extend obliquely through the vertebrae V to take advantage of the
dense
portions D 1 and D2, however, any orientation can be used in accordance with
the
15 principles of the invention, including extending only through the center
portion SP
bone material.
In summary, the bone fastener 16 is dimensioned, oriented and secured to the
vertebra V by way of connector 14 in such a manner to enhance the reliability
and
durability of the engagement of the bone fastener 16 with the vertebra V.
Specifically,
2o the bone fastener 16 can be oriented to extend through the strongest
portion of the
vertebra V, the bone fastener 16 is misaligned relative to the distraction
force F
applied by the fixation rod 12 to the bone fastener 16, and the threads on the
bone
fastener 16 engage metal, namely, connector 14, instead of only bone, thus the
size
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and number of threads on the bone fastener 16 can be minimized. Further, the
connector 14 is locked into engagement with the vertebra V. Simultaneously,
the
cross-sectional dimension, orientation, and securement of the bone fastener 16
minimizes injury (potential fracture) to the bone imparted by the bone
fastener 16.
During installation, preferably, the bone fastener 16 is driven/tapped through
the selected vertebra V without drilling a pilot hole owing to the porosity of
the bone
material of the selected vertebra V. The guide aperture 28 properly aligns the
bone
fastener 16 as it is inserted through the vertebra V such that the bone
fastener 16
passes obliquely from the base 18 through the vertebra and threads into the
hook 20 to
1o secure the connector 14 to the vertebra V. If necessary, a hole can be
drilled, or
tapped, partially or completely, through the vertebra V to facilitate the
passage of the
bone fastener 16 through the vertebra. If a hole is to be formed in the
vertebra V, then
the boring tool to be used to form the hole should be positioned on the
vertebra such
that the hole will be properly aligned coaxially with the guide aperture 28
and the
threaded bore 30. For example, the boring tool could be placed in a jig, which
is a
device that directs the boring tool through the bone and prevents the boring
tool from
drilling through the bone and into tissue surrounding the bone. Depending upon
the
boring tool, the connector 14 could be used for alignment, but a jig still
might be
desirable for this step.
2o The arrangement of the connectors 14 and the bone fasteners 16 on the
spinal
column S can vary given the particular treatment. Two examples are shown in
Figs.
4A and 4B. The bone fasteners 16 can be arranged in a plurality of patterns
that lock
the connectors 14 to the vertebra V to promote a reliable and durable
attachment of
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system 10 to the spinal column S. As shown by way of example in Fig. 4A, where
the
rod is disposed on the opposing side of the spine as compared to the rod in
Fig. 2, the
fasteners 14 are positioned on the vertebra V such that a first group of bone
fasteners
16 converges towards a second group of bone fasteners 16. A further exemplary
pattern is illustrated in Fig. 4B, where a first group of bone fasteners 16
diverges from
a second group of bone fasteners 16. Also, the fasteners 16 and the hooks of
the
connectors 14 could be reversed with the hooks and fasteners pointed in the
opposite
directions from those shown in Figs. 4A and 4B.
Additionally, Fig. 4B illustrates a bone anchor 17 secured to a vertebra V 1
by
1o a bone fastener 19 that is oriented perpendicular to the fixation rod 12,
where the
vertebra V 1 is located approximately at the center of the arc of the spinal
curvature
being corrected. This bone fastener 19 serves to maintain proper positioning
of its
respective vertebra V relative to the fixation rod 12 and the adjacent
vertebrae V. In
the compression mode, due to the central position of the vertebra V 1 along
the arc to
be corrected, the fixation rod 12 applies a compressive force on the bone
fastener 19
instead of the distraction or pulling force experienced at the ends of the
fixation rod
12. As such, pull out of the bone fastener 19 is believed to be unlikely
because of the
connection of connectors 14 and bone fasteners 16 on either side of the bone
fastener
19. The bone fastener 19 can be configured such as that shown and described
below
2o with reference to Fig. 16. Alternatively, the bone fastener 19 can be a
smooth pin, a
screw, a bolt or a staple extending from the bone anchor 17.
Now the attachment of the connector 14 to the fixation rod 12 and the fixation
rod will be discussed. The connector 14 is adapted to have the fixation rod 12
secured
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19
thereto such that the fixation rod 12 is oriented relative to the selected
vertebrae V to
place the spine in the desired position to correct an abnormal curvature, or
to position
the spine for an operative procedure addressing a tumor, bone fracture, or
other
trauma to the spine. As shown in Fig. 5, the connector 14 includes a channel
22
s formed in the base 18 of the connector 14 that is adapted to receive
fixation rod 12.
The channel 22 has a first open end 42 and a second open end 44. The bottom of
the
channel 22 has a shape complimentary to the shape of the fixation rod 12.
Preferably,
as shown in Fig. 5, the bottom of the channel 22 is cylindrical and the
fixation rod 12
is cylindrical. The channel 22 forms two parallel side walls 46, 48 that
extend from
the first open end 42 to the second open end 44 of the channel 22. Each of the
side
walls 46, 48 includes a threaded portion 50 that engages threads 52 on the rod
locking
fastener 24 such that the rod locking fastener 24~ can be tightened against
the fixation
rod 12 to secure the fixation rod 12 in the channel 22. The threaded portions
50 are
segments of a thread helix but bccausc the channel 22 extends through the
thread
15 helix it divides the thread helix into the two threaded portions 50.
Preferably, the rod
locking fasten er 24~ is a set screv~ having a. flat end that engages the
filaation rod and a
driving end that is configured for engagement by a standard tool, such as a
hex head
screw driver. The rod locking fastener 24 and the base 18 of connector 14 can
be
structurally modified to further reduce the chances that the fixation rod 12
may
2o disengage from the connector 14, as will be discussed below with reference
to Figs.
11A-13. Also, the outer surface of the walls 46, 48 can extend parallel, at a
congruent
angle, or divergent to one another.
The fixation rod 12 can be of any geometric shape in transverse cross-section,
such as circular or polygonal. Preferably, the fixation rod 12 is solid and
has a circular
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transverse cross-section with a diameter in the range of approximately 1/8 to
1l4 inch.
The fixation rod 12 may be straight or curved along its long axis. It is
preferred to use
a curved fixation rod 12 when treating kyphosis or lordosis or similar
conditions of
the spinal column. The fixation rod 12 can be made from a pliable material
such that
s it can be bent to the proper shape by the surgeon during the operation but
will retain
its properly bent shape after implantation onto the spinal column S. The
fixation rod is
made from a material acceptable for implantation in a human body, such as
stainless
steel, titanium, cobalt chrome, or a composite material. The rod can be made
as a
solid member or made of strands that are woven, twisted, or welded into the
l0 appropriate shape and size.
In summary, the spinal alignment system 10 can be implanted by removing the
discs between the vertebra V targeted for correction. The connectors 14~ are
then
installed transversely across the vertebral disc spaces and secured to the
veutebra V by
respective bone fasteners 16. The fixation rod 12 is then inserted into each
channel 22
15 of the connectors 14 in the desired corrective alignment and a rod fixation
fastener 24
is then threaded into the threaded portions 50 of the channel 22 of each of
the
connectors 14. Typically, bone graft material is packed into the residual disc
spaces.
Bone induction material can also be used as, ultimately, bone fusion of the
selected
vertebrae V must be obtained. The spinal alignment system 10 according to the
2o invention is not a substitute for bone continuity. Spinal correction
devices, like spinal
alignment system 10, are intended to temporarily hold the bones in the
selected
alignment until bone fusion occurs. Solid bone fusion must occur for spinal
correction
devices, like spinal alignment system 10, to achieve their intended goal.
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As discussed above, the bone fastener 16 can be disposed at any angle and can
pass through different parts of connector 14. Examples of alternative
embodiments in
this regard are now described with reference to Figs. 6A-6F. In Fig. 6A, a
second
embodiment of a connector 114 includes a base 118 and a first portion 132 of a
hook
120 extending from the base 118 adjacent the second open end 144 of a channel
122
formed in the base 118. A guide aperture 128 extends through the channel 122
adjacent the second open end 144 of the channel 122. A second hook portion 134
extends from the first hook portion 132 and is longer as compared to the
second hook
portion 34 of the connector 14, as illustrated in Figs. 2-5. A threaded bore
130 is
located adjacent the free end of second hook portion 134 of the hook 120.
Fig. 6B illustrates a third embodiment of the connector 214 including a base
218 and a first portion 232 of a hoolc 220 extending from the base 218
adjacent the
second open end 244 of a channel 222 formed in the base 218. A second hook
portion
234 extends from the first hook portion 232 and is longer as compared to the
second
hook portion 34 of the connector 14, as illustrated in Figs. 2-5. The
connector, 214
includes a guide aperture 228 extending through the channel 222 adjacent the
first
open end 242 of the channel 222 and a threaded bore 230 adjacent the free end
of the
second hook portion 234 of the hook 220. The bone fastener 16 is inserted
through the
guide aperture 228 and threaded into the threaded bore 230.
2o Fig. 6C illustrates a fourth embodiment of the connector 314. Lilce the
first
embodiment of Figs. 2-5, the connector 314 includes a base 318 and a first
portion
332 of a hook 320 extending from the base 318 adjacent the second open end 344
of a
channel 322 formed in the base 318. A guide aperture 328 extends through the
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22
channel 322 adjacent the first open end 342 of the channel 322. A second hook
portion 334 extends from the first hook portion 332. The threaded bore 330 is
located
in the first hook portion 332 of the hook 320 intermediate the second hook
portion
334 and the base 318.
Fig. 6D illustrates a fifth embodiment of the connector 414. The connector 414
includes a base 418 and a first portion 432 of a hook 420 extending from the
base 418
adjacent the second open end 444 of a channel 422 formed in the base 418. A
guide
aperture 454 extends through the first hook portion 432. A second hook portion
434
extends from the first hook portion 432 and is lengthened compared to the
second
1o hook portion 34 of the connector 14, as illustrated in Figs. 2-5. A
threaded bore 430 is
located adjacent the free end of the second hook portion 432 of the hook 420.
The
bone fastener 16 is inserted through the guide aperture 4=54 and threaded into
the
threaded bore 430.
Fig. 6E illustrates a sixth embodiment of the connector 514. The connector
514 includes a base 518 and a first portion 532 of a hook 520 extending from
the base
518 adjacent the second open end X44 of a channel 522 formed in the bast 518.
An
elongated guide aperture 528 extends through the channel 522 at a location
intermediate the first open end 542 and the second open end 544 of the channel
522.
Preferably, the elongated guide aperture 528 tapers from the bottom portion of
the
2o channel toward the second hook portion 534 such that the end of the guide
aperture
528 closest to the second open end 544 directs the shaft of the bone fastener
16
toward the first threaded bore 530 and the end of the guide aperture 528
furthest from
the second open end 544 directs the shaft of the bone fastener 16 toward the
second
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23
threaded bore 556. A second hook portion 534 extends from the first hook
portion 532
and is lengthened compared to the second hook portion 34 of the connector 14,
as
illustrated in Figs. 2-5. A second threaded bore 556 is located at the
junction of the
first hook portion 532 and the second hook portion 534 of the hook 520. One or
more
bone fasteners 16 can be inserted through the guide aperture 528 and threaded
into
either or both of the threaded bores 530, 556.
As described herein, the spinal alignment system in accordance with the
principles of the invention can be implanted posterior to the spinal column.
To
implant the system posteriorly or anteriorly, the bone fastener insertion
direction
to could be reversed as compared to that described above with reference to
Figs. 3, 5 and
6A-6E. That is, it could enter the connector through the hook first, as shown
in Fig.
6F, rather than through the base first. As shown in Fig. 6F, a connector 1114
includes
guide aperture 1128 located in the hook 1120 and a threaded bore 1130 located
in the
base 1118 of the connector 1114. The bone fastener 16 would enter into guide
15 aperture 1128 and then be secured into the threaded bore 1130. Thus, in
accordance
with the principles of the invention, the various embodiments of the bone
fastener
illustrated in Figs 2-6F can be used for both a posterior implant and an
anterior
implant.
As described herein, the guide aperture is illustrated to open in the bottom
of
2o the channel and extend through the base along an axis that lies in a plane
containing
the longitudinal axis of the channel. However, the guide aperture can be
positioned
such that it opens in one of the side walls (for example side walls 46, 48
shown in Fig.
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24
5) formed by the channel and extends through the base along an axis that is
oblique to
the plane containing the longitudinal axis of the channel.
As described herein, the first hook portion is illustrated with a constant
width.
However, the width of the first hook portion can be tapered inwardly, as shown
in Fig.
6F, from each end of the first hook portion toward the middle of the first
hook
portion. This configuration can provide more area on the associated vertebra V
for
receiving bone graft material, thus maximizing the amount of the bone graft
and the
area of the vertebral surface to incorporate the graft.
In Figs. 7 and 7A, a seventh, embodiment of the connector 614 includes a base
l0 618 and a hook 620 extending from the base 618. The base 618 includes a
channel
622 having a tapered first open end 642 and tapered second open end 644. The
tapered channel 622 is preferred over a straight channel, such as that
illustrated in
Figs. 2-5. The tapered ends 6429 644 assist in guiding the fixation rod (not
shown)
during insertion into the channel 622 and they can more readily accommodate
curved
is fixation rods and reduce the potential for edge loading. Also, the tapered
ends 642,
644 reduce wear on the rod by providing a relatively dull edge upon which the
fixation rod (not shown) can rub if the fixation rod should ever move within
the
channel 622. The angle of taper for the tapered ends 642, 644 can have a wide
range,
but is preferably between approximately 5-45 degrees as measured relative to
20 longitudinal axis L in Fig. 7A.
The first hook portion 632 of the hook 620 has a tapered width to maximize
the amount of bone graft and area of the vertebral surface to incorporate the
bone
graft, as also shown in Fig. 6F. Further, the base 618 can be configured
differently. As
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shown in Fig. 7, the outer surface of the base 618 is sculpted in an area
underneath the
channel 622 and along a portion of the walls 646, 648 of the channel 622. The
sculpted portions of the base 618 are configured to gradually transition from
one end
adjacent the first end 642 of the channel 622 toward the planar surface
portion of the
base 618 intermediate the second end 644 of the channel 622 and the hook 620.
The
sculpted portions of the base 618 provide an optimized distribution of
material along
the base 618 that can minimize the space in the spine to be occupied by the
connector
614 and that can maximize the depth of the threaded portions 650 for the rod
locking
fastener (not shown, see, for example, Fig. 3). This also results in the use
of less
to material as compared to other embodiments. Figs. 7 and 7A illustrate the
outer surface
along the top portions of the walls 646; 648 as being parallel to one another
and the
outer surface along the bottom portions of the walls 646, 64.8 to be non-
parallel to one
another. The non-parallel extent of the outer surface along the bottom
portions of the
walls 646, 64=8 can have a divergent configuration, as shown in Fig. 7, or
15 alternatively, a congruent configuration, as shown in Fig. 5, where a
gradual transition
is not used. Alternatively, the outer surface of the base can be sculpted
along the
entire extent of the walls 646, 648 in a divergent or congruent configuration.
Figs. 8 and 8A illustrate two modifications as compared to the connector 14 of
Figs 2-5. Referring to Fig. 8, the connector is a mufti-piece connector 1014
that
2o includes a base 1018 separable from a hook 1020. Providing the base 1018 as
a
separate component from the hook 1020, can enhance the ease of manipulation of
the
fixation rod (not shown) and the base 1018 into the desired alignment relative
to the
spinal column (not shown) because the base 1018 can be displaced relative to
the
hook 1020 and the hook 1020 can be rotated or moved along the vertebra V. A
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26
threaded fastener 1033 and a bone fastener 1016 are used to secure the base
1018 to
the hook 1020 once the desired orientation is acquired.
The base 1018 includes a guide aperture 1028a that is threaded and a fastener
bore 1029a. The hook 1020 includes a platform 1021 that receives the base
1018. A
guide aperture 1028b and a fastener bore 1029b are provided in platform 1021
and
align with the guide aperture 1028a and the fastener bore 1029a of the base
1018
when the base 1018 is placed on the platform 1021. At least one of the
fastener bores
1029a, 1029b are threaded, and preferably, the fastener bore 1029b is
threaded. The
bone fastener 1016 has a first threaded portion 1040a to engage the threads in
the
threaded guide aperture 1028a and a second threaded portion 1040b to engage a
threaded bore 1030 formed in the hook 1020. The threaded fastener 1033,
preferably a
flat head screw, is tightly threaded lIlto the countersunk fastener bores
1029a, 1029b
and cooperates with the bone fastener 1016 to secure the base 1018 to the hook
1020.
As viewed in Fig. 8A, the channel 1022 is lengthened as compared to the
channel shown in Figs. 2-~A. The channel 1022 has a tapered first open end
1042 and
a tapered second open end 1044. The tapered ends 1042, 1044 merge into
parallel
sections 1043 that include threaded portions 1050, which receive a rod locking
fastener (not shown). As discussed above relative to Figs. 7 and 7A, the
tapered ends
1042, 1044 assist in guiding the fixation rod (not shown) during insertion
into the
2o channel 1022 and they can more readily accommodate curved fixation rods and
reduce the potential for edge loading. Also, the tapered ends 1042, 1044
reduce wear
on the rod by providing a relatively dull edge upon which the fixation rod
(not shown)
can rub if the fixation rod should ever move within the channel 1022. The
angle of
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27
taper for the tapered ends 1042, 1044 can have a wide range, but is preferably
between approximately 5-45 degrees as measured relative to longitudinal axis L
in
Fig. 7A. Although Figs. 8 and 8A illustrate the lengthened base in combination
with a
removable base, it is to be understood that these two modifications can be
employed
individually, as desired.
Turning now to Figs. 9-11, the rod locking fastener 24, as illustrated in
cross-section in Fig. 10, will be discussed in more detail. As shown in Fig.
10, the rod
locking fastener 24 can have a conventional screw thread. In use, however, the
fixation rod 12 can exert significant force on the rod locking fastener 24. To
improve
to the reliability of the connection between the rod locking fastener and
base, alternative
thread constructions are described in comparison to a conventional screw
thread. The
alternative constructions are shown in Figs. 1 1A-13.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional ~riew indicated by Section 11 in Fig.
10
and shows a conventional V-shaped thread 52 extending along the body 24a of
the rod
locking fastener 24 and a conventional V-shaped thread 51 on the threaded
portion 50.
Fig. 11 illustrates the forces acting on the conventional V-shaped threads 51
of the
threaded portions 50 of each of the side walls (only side wall 48 is shown)
and the
conventional V-shaped thread 52 of the rod locking fastener 24 when the rod
locking
fastener 24 engages the fixation rod 12 (Fig. 10) to secure the rod 12 in the
channel 22
(Fig. 10). The fixation rod 12 can exert a load L onto the rod locking
fastener 24 that
extends along an axis of the body 24a of the rod locking fastener 24. The load
L
placed on the rod locking fastener 24 by the fixation rod 12 can cause a
reaction force
R on the threads 51 of the threaded portions 50 of the base 18 (Fig. 10) which
tends to
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28
push the side walls 46, 48 of channel 22 away from each other. This reaction
force R
can displace one or both of the side walls 46, 48 a sufficient amount such
that the
threads 51 of the threaded portions 50 of one or both of the side walls 46, 48
can
separate enough from the thread 52 of the rod locking fastener 24 to allow the
fixation
rod 12 to move within or disengage from the channel 22.
Preferably, one of a plurality of alternative thread configurations are
substituted for the conventional thread configuration on rod locking fastener
24 (Fig. ,
10) and the threaded portions 50 (Fig. 10) of the side walls 46, 48 (Fig. 10).
These
alternative thread configurations are shown and described with reference to
Figs. 11
to A, 11B and 12A-12D.
Fig. 1 1A illustrates a first alternate embodiment of the thread and is an
enlarged cross-section taken from the earns section as Section 11 in Fig. 10
but having
a different configuration. In Fig. 11A, a thread 152 extending along the body
124~a of
the rod locking fastener is shown engaging a corresponding mating thread 151
of the
threaded portion 150. The edges of the thread 152 and the threads 151 can be
sharp or
slightly rounded. It is to be understood that the gap between the thread 152
and the
thread 151 is exaggerated for purposes of illustration only. The thread 152
includes a
first face 152a, a second face 152b generally parallel to the first face 152a,
a third face
152c extending from the first face 152a to the second face 152b, and a root
(indicated
2o at 152d and 152e) abutting the first face 152a and the second face 152b.
The first face
152a extends at an acute angle from an abutting first portion 152d of the
root, the
second face 152b extends at an obtuse angle from an abutting second portion
152e of
the root, and the third face 152c and the root portions 152d, 152e extend
generally
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29
parallel to the axis of the body 124a such that, in the illustrated cross-
section, the
thread 152 has a generally rhomboidal shape. The threads 151 of the threaded
portions
150 include a mating generally rhomboidal cross-sectional shape having a first
face
150a engaged by the first face 152a of the thread 152, a second face 150b
engaged by
the second face 152b of the thread 152 and an abutting portion 150d of the
root
engaged by the third face 152c of the thread 152. The first face 150a extends
at an
acute angle from an abutting portion 150d of the root, the second face 150b
extends at
an obtuse angle from the abutting portion 150d of the root, and a third face
150c and
the abutting portion 150d of the root extend generally parallel to the axis of
the body
124x.
The orientation at an acute angle of the first face 152a and the complimentary
orientation of the first face 150a of the threaded portion 150 can prevent
unintentional
disengagement of the rod locking fastener 24 from the base 1 ~ (Fig. 10). The
load I,
induced on the rod locking fastener 24 (Fig. 10) by the rod 12 (Fig. 10)
causes a
reaction force RI perpendicular to the mating first face 150a of the threaded
portion
150 that is directed at an angle toward the axis of the body 124~a of the rod
locking
fastener as viewed in Fig 11 A. This direction of the reaction force R1 tends
to draw
the side walls (only side wall 148 is shown) toward the axis of the body 124a
of the
rod locking fastener instead of pushing the side walls away as in Fig. 11.
2o Advantageously, the reaction force Rl also increases the frictional force
acting
between the first face 150a of the threaded portion 150 and the mating first
face 152a
on the thread 152 such that the force necessary to unscrew the rod locking
fastener
from the thread portions 150 is increased and discourages the rod locking
fastener
from backing out of, i.e., unscrewing from, the threaded portions 150. By
drawing the
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side walls (only side wall 148 is shown) toward each other and by increasing
the
frictional force between the mating faces 150a, 152a, the thread 152
cooperates with
the thread of each threaded portion 150 to resist the load L exerted by the
fixation rod
12 (Fig. 10) onto the rod locking fastener 24 when the fixation rod 12 is
secured in the
channel 22 (Fig. 10). Thereby, unintentional disengagement of the fixation rod
12
from the connector 14 can be prevented when the rod locking fastener 24 is
subjected
to the load L exerted by the fixation rod 12.
Fig. 11B illustrates a second alternate embodiment of the thread and is an
enlarged cross-section taken from the same section as Section 11 in Fig. 10
but with
1o yet another different configuration. In Fig. 11B, a portion of a thread 552
extending
along the body 524a of the rod locking fastener engages a corresponding mating
thread 551 of the threaded portion 550. The edges of the thread 552 and the
threads
551 of the threaded portion 550 can be sharp or slightly rounded. It is to be
understood that the gap between the thread 552 and the thread 551 of the
threaded
15 portion 550 is exaggerated for purposes of illustration only. The thread
552 includes a
first face 552a, a second face 552b extending at angle to the first side 552x,
a third
side 552c extending from the first side 552a to the second side 552b, and a
root 5524,
552e abutting the first face 552a and the second face 552b, respectively. The
first face
552a extends at an acute angle from an abutting first portion 552d of the
root, the
2o second face 552b extends at an acute angle from an abutting second portion
552e of
the root, and the third face 552c and the root portions 552d, 552e extend
generally
parallel to the axis of the body 524a such that, in the illustrated cross-
section, the
thread 552 has a generally trapezoidal or generally dovetail shape. The first
side 552a
extends from the abutting portion 552d of the root at an acute angle and the
second
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31
face 552b extends from the abutting portion 552e of the root at an acute
angle, such
that the first face 552a and the second face 552b diverge outwardly from the
center of
the rod locking fastener. The threads 551 of the threaded portions 550 include
a
mating generally trapezoidal or generally dovetail shape having a first face
SSOa
engaged by the first face 552a of the thread 552, a second side SSOb engaged
by the
second face 552b of the thread 552, and a root SSOd engaged by the third face
552c of
the thread 552. The first face SSOa extends at an acute angle from an abutting
portion
SSOd of the root, the second face SSOb extends at an acute angle from the
abutting
portion SSOd of the root, and a third face SSOc and the abutting portion SSOd
of the
1o root extend generally parallel to the axis of the body 524a.
The orientation at an acute angle of the first face 552a and the complimentary
orientation of the mating first surface SSOa ofthe threaded portion X50 can
prevent
unintentional disengagement of the rod locking fastener 24~ from the base 1 g
(Fig. 10).
The load L induced on the rod locking fastener 24 (Fig. 10) by the rod 12
(Fig. 10)
causes a reaction force R1 at the mating first side SSOa of the threaded
portion 550
that is directed at an angle toward the axis of the body 524a of the rod
locking
fastener as viewed in Fig 11B. This direction of the reaction force RI tends
to draw
the side walls (only side wall 54~ is shown) toward the axis of the body 524a
of the
rod locking fastener instead of pushing the side walls away as in Fig. 11.
2o Additionally, the second side 552b of the thread obstructs deflection of
the side walls
in a direction away from the rod locking fastener because the second side SSOb
of the
threaded portion 550 will abut the second side 552b of the thread 552 upon
such
outward deflection. Advantageously, the reaction force Rl also increases the
frictional
force acting between the first surface 552a and the mating first surface SSOa
on the
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32
threads 552 such that the force necessary to unthread the rod locking fastener
from the
thread portions 550 increases and discourages the rod locking fastener from
backing
out of engagement with the threaded portions 550. By drawing the side walls
(only
side wall 548 is shown) toward each other, by obstructing deflection of the
walls
away from each other, and by increasing the frictional force between the
mating sides
SSOa, 552a, SSOb, 552b, the threads 552 cooperate with the threads of the
threaded
portion 550 to resist the load L exerted by the fixation rod 12 (Fig. 10) onto
the rod
locking fastener 24 when the fixation rod 12 is secured in the channel 22
(Fig. 10).
Thereby, unintentional disengagement of the fixation rod 12 from the connector
14
to can be prevented when the rod locking fastener is subjected to the load L
exerted by
the fixation rod 12.
Figs. 12A-12~ illustrate various orientations of the thread for the rod
locking
fastener described above with reference to Fig. 11A. The threads ofthe
threaded
portions of the side walls are not illustrated for clarity, but it is to be
understood that
they have a complementary mating configuration. In Fig. 12A, the rod locking
fastener 224 includes a body 224x, a thread 252 extending along the body, and
a tool
engagement portion 224~b. The thread 252 is oriented in the same configuration
as the
thread 152 described above with reference to Fig. 1 1A and mates with threads
formed
in the thread portions of the base of the connector. The tool engagement
portion 224b
(as shown) is configured for engagement by a standard tool, such as a screw
driver or
a wrench. A hex head configuration is shown.
In Fig. 12B, the orientation of the thread is reversed relative to Fig. 12A.
The
rod locking fastener 324 of Fig. 12B includes a body 324a extending along an
axis, a
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33
thread 352 extending along the body, and a tool engagement portion 324b. The
thread
352 has a first surface (not numbered) extending at an acute angle and a
second
surface extending at an obtuse angle, as described above with reference to
Fig. 11A,
except that the first surface is the lower surface of the thread 352 and the
second
surface is the upper surface of the thread 352. The orientation of the threads
352 of
Fig. 12B can be advantageous in a system where the load L is oriented in the
opposite
direction to that shown in Fig. 11 A. The tool engagement portion 324b (as
shown) is
configured for engagement by a standard tool, such as a screw driver or a
wrench. A
hex head configuration is shown.
1o In Fig. 12C, the rod locking fastener 424 includes a body 424a extending
along an axis, a thread 452 extending along the body 424a, and a tool
engagement
poution 4~24~b. The thread 452 includes three thread portions 4=56, 458, 460.
The first
thread portion 456 has the first face portion (not numbered) extending at an
acute
angle and a the second face portion (not numbered) extending at an obtuse
angle with
15 same orientation relative to the body 424a as that described with reference
to Figs.
1 1A and 12A, above. The third thread portion 458 has the first face portion
(not
numbered) extending at an obtuse angle and the second face (not numbered)
extending at an acute angle with the same orientation relative to the body
424a as that
described with reference to Fig. 12B, above. And, the second thread portion
460 can
2o be intermediate the first thread portion 456 and the third thread portion
458. The
second thread portion 460 can be configured as a flat thread portion having
the first
face (not numbered) and the second face (not numbered) extending substantially
perpendicular from the respective abutting portion of the root. The first face
and the
second face of the thread 452 preferably have a smooth transition from the
first
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34
portion (at 456) to the second portion (at 460) and from the second portion
(at 460) to
the third portion (at 458). The first thread portion 456 and the third thread
portion 458
provide the functions as described above with reference to Figs. 1 IA, 12A and
12B
such that the mating faces of the threads 452 and the threaded portions (not
shown)
can cooperate to resist a load L exerted by fixation rod 12 (Fig. 10). The
second
thread portion 460 provides additional frictional engagement with the mating
thread
of the threaded portion (not shown, see, for example 551 in Fig. 11B).
Although not
shown for this embodiment, the mating threads in the threaded portion could be
configured in a trapezoidal or dovetail shape similar to that shown and
described with
1o reference threaded portion 550 in Fig. 11B, above, to accommodate the three
different
thread portions 456, 458, 460. The tool engagement portion 424b (as shown) is
configured for engagement by a standard tool, such as a screw driver or a
wrench. A
hex head configuration is shown.
Fig. 12D illustrates another alternate embodiment of a rod locking fastener
524 having body 524a extending along an axis, a thread 552 extending along the
body
524~a, and a tool engagement portion 524~b. The thread 552 is configured as a
trapezoidal or dovetail thread as described above with reference to Fig. 11B,
such that
the thread 552 includes a first face 552a (Fig. 11B) extending at an acute
angle with
respect to the abutting first portion 552d (Fig. 11 B) of the root along the
entire length
?o of the thread 552 and a second face 552b (Fig. 11B) extending at an acute
angle with
respect to the abutting second portion 552e (Fig. 11B) of the root along the
entire
length of the thread 552. Similar to the three separate thread portions 456,
458, 460
described above with reference to Fig. 12C, the first face 552a and the second
face
552b cooperate with the mating faces SSOa, SSOb (Fig. 11B) of the threaded
portion
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550 (Fig. 11B) to resist a load L exerted by fixation rod 12 (Fig. 10). The
threads of
the threaded portions of the side walls are not illustrated for clarity, but
it is to be
understood that they have a mating configuration as shown in Fig. 11B. The
tool
engagement portion 524b (as shown) is configured for engagement by a standard
tool,
such as a screw driver or a wrench. A hex head configuration is shown.
Although, the thread configurations of Figs 11A-12D are described above in
the context of a spinal alignment system, each of these thread configurations
could be
used in other surgically implantable systems having mating parts or requiring
a secure
locking mechanism. Further, each of the thread configurations described herein
can be
1o used by fasteners, such as machine screws, bolts and nuts, or to provide
threaded
connections to secure two or more components together outside the medical
field.
And, if used in situations without mating pacts, these thread configurations
could be
configured to have a self tapping thread along part of or the entire length of
the
thread. Additionally, the thread configurations described herein can be
arranged in a
15 single helix or in a multiple helix configuration.
Fig. 13 illustrates an eighth embodiment of the connector 714 that includes a
base 718 and a hook 720. The base 718 includes a channel 722 that receives the
fixation rod 12. The channel 722 forms a first side wall 746 and a second side
wall
748. Each side wall 746, 748 includes a threaded portion 750 facing the
channel 722
2o and an arcuate ridge 762, 764 at the top of the side walls 746, 748 aligned
with the
threaded portions 750. A rod locking fastener 724 includes threads 752 and a
head
766. The threads 750, 752 can be conventional threads or configured as
described
above with reference to Figs. 11-12D. The head 766 includes an annular groove
768
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36
in the bottom surface of the head. The annular groove 768 engages the arcuate
ridges
762, 764 when the rod locking fastener 724 is threaded into the channel 722
against
the fixation rod 12. The mating engagement between the arcuate ridges 762, 764
and
the annular groove 768 resists separation of the side walls 746, 748 away from
each
other. Alternatively, an annular groove can be provided at the top of the side
walls
746, 748 and aligned with the threaded portions and an annular ridge can be
provided
in the bottom surface of the head 766. Thus, the annular grooves) cooperates
with the
annular ridges) to resist the load L (Fig. 12A) exerted by the fixation rod 12
onto the
rod locking fastener 724 when the fixation rod 12 is secured in the channel
722.
1o Referring now to Figs. 14 and 15, embodiments of the connector and the
fixation rod that block movement of the fixation rod in the channel of the
connector
will be now described. Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of the present invention in
which longitudinal displacement of the fixation rod is blocked. Fig. 15 shows
an
embodiment of the present invention in which the fixation rod and the
connector
15 cooperate to block rotational motion of the fixation rod in the channel of
the
connector as well as block longitudinal displacement of the fixation rod.
Fig. 14 shows a connector 814 that includes a base 818 having a channel 822.
The channel 822 receives a fixation rod (not shown) and forms two side walls
846,
848. The side walls 846, 848 include first threaded portion 850 and a second
threaded
2o portion 870. The first threaded portions 850 engage a rod locking fastener
(not shown)
to secure the fixation rod (not shown) in the channel 822. The second threaded
portion
870 is located adjacent a second open end 844 of the channel 822. A rod
locating
fastener 872 is threaded into the second open end 844 of the channel 822 by
way of
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37
the threaded portions 870 so that the end of the rod locating fastener 872
abuts the end
of the fixation rod (not shown) and blocks displacement of the fixation rod
out of the
second open end 844 along the longitudinal axis of the fixation rod. This
feature
would only be used on the end connectors of the system 10.
Alternatively, other configurations of the channel and the base can be used to
block displacement of the fixation rod along its longitudinal axis. In one
such
alternative embodiment, the channel can be formed in the base to have one open
end
and one closed end. In another such embodiment, a plug can be press fit into
the
second open end of the channel. Instead of a friction fit, the plug can be fit
with a
1o morse taper into the second open end of the channel of an end connector.
In the embodiment of the Fig. 15, a connector 914 includes a base 918 and a
hook 920. The base 918 includes a channel 922 and a hollow section 974 aligned
with
the channel 922. The channel in dudes a first open end (not numbered) open to
the
hollow section 974 and a second open end 944. A fixation rod 912 is inserted
through
the hollow section 974 into the channel 922 to extend beyond the second open
end
944. The hollow section 974 is dimensioned slightly larger than the transverse
cross-section dimensioning of a fixation rod 912 so that the fixation rod can
slide into
the hollow section 974 while blocking excessive tilting movement of the
fixation rod
912. Preferably, the hollow section 974 and the fixation rod are cylindrical.
2o Alternatively, the hollow section and the fixation rod can be polygonal.
Mating
polygonal geometrical configurations of the hollow section 974 and the
fixation rod
912 can block rotational motion of the fixation rod 912 within the channel
922.
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A plurality of grooves 976 are formed adjacent the end 978 of the hollow
section furthest from the channel 922. The fixation rod 912 includes an U-
shaped end
980 that is received in one of the grooves 976. The U-shaped end 980 and the
engaged
groove 976 cooperate to block rotational movement of the fixation rod 912
within the
channel 922. Alternatively, the grooves can be oriented to extend orthogonal
to the
fixation rod and the fixation rod can have one or more orthogonal projections
extending from the end of the fixation rod that engage a respective one of the
orthogonal grooves such that rotational movement of the fixation rod within
the
channel is blocked.
1o Figs. 16-17B illustrate another embodiment of a bone fastener in the form
of
an expandable pin 116 that includes two resiliently expandable L-shaped
portions
116a instead of threads. Each L-shaped portion includes a foot 116b extending
radially outwardly from the expandable pin 116. Preferably, the bottom of each
foot
116b is rounded. A slotted through bore 930 is provided in the junction of the
first
15 hook portion 932 and the second hook portion 934 of the connector 914. The
resiliently expandable portions 116a are squee~;ed together and then inserted
through
the guide aperture 928 and toward the slotted bore 930. The head 136 of the
expandable pin 116 is configured to be drivingly engaged by a tool to rotate
feet 116b
into alignment with slots 930a in the slotted bore 930 such that the feet 116b
can pass
2o completely through the slotted bore 930. The feet 116b and the slots 930a
provide
tactile input to the surgeon so that the feet 116b can be aligned with the
slots 930a. In
order to avoid puncturing the surgeon's gloves, or damaging adjacent tissue,
the feet
116b and the slots 930a should not be sharp or pointed.
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39
After the feet 116b have passed through the slotted bore 930, the expandable
pin 116 is rotated so that the feet 116b are out of alignment with the slots
930a.
Referring to Figs. 17A and 17B, the feet 116b slide along arcuate grooves 930b
extending from the slots 930a as the pin 116 is rotated. Each groove 930b is
in
communication with a respective one of the slots 930a. A stop 930c is formed
at the
end of each groove 930b adjacent the other of the slots 930a to prevent over-
rotation
of the feet 116b into the other of the slots 930a and to provide positive
feedback that
the feet 116a have been sufficiently rotated out of alignment with the slots
930a. The
grooves 930b can have a constant depth or a tapered depth that increases
toward the
to stop 930c. The arcuate extent of the grooves 930b can be made shorter and
the stops
930c positioned relative to the slots 930a such that the stops 930c permit
only a
quarter-turn or a third-turn of the pin 116, instead of the preferred half
turn illustrated
in Fig. 17A. It is within the scope of the invention, however, to provide
alternative
arrangements that can limit the amount of rotation of the pin 116 and to
minimise the
~5 exposure of the feet 116b against surrounding tissue.
The I,-shaped portions 116a are biased into frictional engagement with the
slotted bore 930 such that unintended rotation of the pin 116 is prevented.
The head
136 and the feet 116b cooperate to with the base 91 ~ and the hook 920 to
secure the
pin 116 in the fastener 914. As in the embodiments of Figs. 2-~ discussed
above, the
2o pin 116 and the connector 914 cooperate to lock the connector to the
vertebra. If
removal of the pin 116 is desired, then the pin 116 is rotated until the feet
116b align
with the slots 930a. Consequently, the pin 116 can then be pulled away from
the
slotted bore 930.
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Although the invention has been described for use in correcting a human
spine, the system 10 can be used for other orthopedic procedures in other
boney areas.
Furthermore, the system can be used with bone structures other than human bone
structures.
While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certain
embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the described
embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the
present
invention, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that
the
present invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has
the full
1o scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents
thereof.
